Acer’s launching a Linux handheld for streaming your PC games | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIPolicyNotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.NotificationsNotificationsHamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersArchivesStoreVerge Product UpdatesSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Acer’s launching a Linux handheld for streaming your PC gamesNotificationsNotificationsComments DrawerNotificationsCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...GamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechAcer’s launching a Linux handheld for streaming your PC gamesThe Nitro Blaze Link is a streaming-first handheld with only 1GB of RAM (and no price tag yet).The Nitro Blaze Link is a streaming-first handheld with only 1GB of RAM (and no price tag yet).by Stevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie BonifieldMay 29, 2026, 7:01 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIf you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.Image: AcerStevie BonifieldCloseStevie BonifieldPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Stevie Bonifield is a news writer covering all things consumer tech. Stevie started out at Laptop Mag writing news and reviews on hardware, gaming, and AI.The Acer Nitro Blaze Link might run on Linux, but it’s no Steam Deck. Acer says it’s a “streaming-first handheld and companion device,” like a PlayStation Portal for your PC. Announced at Computex on Friday, it’s launching in Q4 2026 with a 7-inch (1920 x 1200) display, Wi-Fi 6, just 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 8GB of eMMC storage. That’s technically not even enough RAM to run Stardew Valley, but the Blaze Link isn’t meant for playing games locally.Logitech launched a similar handheld a few years ago, the Logitech G Cloud, that cost $350, included 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and ran on Android. It was a tough sell at that price considering that its performance was dependent on a good internet connection.Acer hasn’t yet announced a price for the Nitro Blaze Link. 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Acer is introducing a new Linux handheld device intended for streaming PC games, specifically featuring the Nitro Blaze Link. This device is positioned as a streaming-first handheld and companion device, drawing a comparison to products like the PlayStation Portal but tailored for PC gaming. The initial announcement mentioned by Stevie Bonifield indicated that the Nitro Blaze Link currently possesses only 1GB of RAM and is without a stated price tag. Despite these limited specifications, the device is explicitly not designed for local game execution.

The hardware specifications for the Nitro Blaze Link include a 7-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1200, support for Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and 8GB of eMMC storage. While these details outline the hardware, the context suggests that the device is optimized for streaming functionality rather than raw processing power, as evidenced by the minimal memory capacity, which is technically insufficient even to run light applications like Stardew Valley. This approach differentiates it from traditional handheld gaming PCs, which have experienced significant price inflation.

The context of the launch contrasts with previous offerings in the handheld market. For instance, Logitech previously released the Logitech G Cloud, which featured 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage and operated on the Android platform, retailing at $350. The current positioning of the Nitro Blaze Link strongly implies an attempt to offer a more accessible and streaming-centric alternative to high-cost handheld gaming PCs. The absence of a price until an official announcement suggests the potential for the device to offer a more affordable entry point into the handheld gaming ecosystem for consumers seeking to stream PC games.